Policy Advocacy, Research and Information

Policy advocacy is UWONET’s core programme under which the network seeks to make the policy and decision making space more democratic by way of highlighting and championing the voices and concerns of women in Uganda.
The areas of focus under this area are:
a)    Gender based Violence and Reproductive Health Rights.

-    DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACT

UWONET underscores that GBV in all its forms is a critical health and human rights issue in Uganda.  UWONET has been part of the DVB Coalition which was at the fore front of having the DVB passed into law.  On 11th November 2009, the Ugandan Parliament debated and passed the DVB and in 2010, his excellence the president of Uganda assented to it. This means victims of domestic violence would have recourse to the law.

UWONET undertook to development of Information Packs on the Domestic Violence Bill as a mechanism of simplifying the Domestic Violence Bill for support and increased understanding by the populace.

-    ADVOCATING FOR GENDER AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

UWONET is implementing a five year 7th country GOU/UNFPA country programme under the Gender Component: Advocating for Gender and Reproductive Rights in 8 districts (Mubende, Kanungu, Oyam, Yumbe, Kaabong, Kotido, Moroto and Katakwi).  The programmes outcome is for individuals and communities especially the most vulnerable empowered to demand comprehensive packages of social services.

The programme entails;
1.     UWONET establishing and or strengthening alliances at national and community level for GBV prevention and advocacy for gender and rights advocacy.
2.    Increasing understanding and application of national gender related policies at community level.

SEXUAL AND GENDER BASED VIOLENCE INDEXING

This initiative tracks SGBV cases reported in 3 sampled print media (the New Vision, The Daily monitor and Bukedde) this initiative is meant for evidence based advocacy on the issue of violence against women to have women’s rights issues on the agenda of planning and development at all levels.

b)    Legal Reform on Discriminatory clauses on women

-    THE MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE BILL
The marriage and Divorce Bill reforms and consolidates the law relating to marriage, separation and divorce to give effect to Article 31(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda which states that “men and women are entitled to equal rights at and in marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.”

In line with UWONET’s mandate to advocate for gender sensitive laws in Uganda, UWONET reinvigorated advocacy on the Marriage and Divorce Bill. To increase the public and different stakeholders understanding and articulation of issues in the bill for advocacy support, UWONET;
1.    The Bill was simplified into a small user friendly information packs
2.    Conducted Regional feedback and consensus building advocacy dialogues with different stakeholders
3.    Development of a brochure “The Facts and Myths on The marriage and Divorce Bill”
“Stand UP and Be Counted: Demand your right to a Fair Family law.”

c)    Advocacy for the Ratification and Implementation of treaties and Conventions

-    CSO CEDAW REPORTING

Uganda is a signatory to the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of discrimination Against Women, an international instrument for articulating, advocating and monitoring women’s human rights. Ratification obliges member states to submit periodic reports every two years to the CEDAW committee

UWONET coordinated the CEDAW CSO taskforce in the development of a consolidated 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th CSO Alternative Report. The report presents some of the progress made and challenges that still persist relating to the promotion of women’s rights and gender equality in Uganda.

UWONET took advantage of the opportunity to urge the Ugandan Government to be in the fore front, possibly in cooperation with other East African Governments, in the efforts to address the challenges that continue to affect women in the realization of equality and equity.
1.    A policy brief highlighting the progress and challenges on the legal framework for protection of women against discrimination and promotion of their social, political and economic rights was developed.

2.    UWONET also developed a brochure “women and Girls on the Agenda, The Time to Act is Now” calling upon the Ugandan government to ensure equal access for girl child education and stop early marriages by supporting girls to remain in school longer

3.    Women’s Economic Rights and Justice

4.    Women, Peace and Security

5.    Women in Politics and Decision making